Optical Hardware Test Engineer: 112G/224G PAM4

Cisco Systems, Inc.; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 168,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an Optical Hardware Systems Test Engineer to validate and ensure the quality of next‑generation networking platforms, including switches, routers, and data center systems.

You will lead hands‑on bring‑up in the lab, validating high‑speed silicon with advanced optics and developing automated tests in Python/C++. Collaborate with ASIC architecture, SI, board design, and manufacturing from early silicon bring‑up through production release.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering, Photonics, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
• 7+ years of hands-on lab bring-up, system validation, and hardware testing.
• Strong knowledge of optical transceivers, optical link budgets, high-speed SerDes (56G/112G+ PAM4), and BER testing.
• Experience using standard lab instrumentation: VNAs, TDR, oscilloscopes, BERTs, optical power meters, spectrum analyzers.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on bring-up, validation, and characterization of Silicon One ASICs integrated with high-speed optical transceivers and emerging optics engines.
• Measure and evaluate eye quality, BER, and link margins across 112G/224G PAM4 links.
• Develop and maintain Python/C++ test automation scripts to control lab equipment and automate workflows.
• Perform system stress testing across temperature, voltage, and traffic corners for reliability.
• Debug and root‑cause hardware, signal integrity, and optical link issues during prototype bring‑up.
• Collaborate with ASIC architecture, SI, board design, software/diagnostics, and manufacturing teams through production release.

Skills

High-speed networking

Optical transceivers

SerDes (56G/112G+)

Python scripting

C/C++

Lab instrumentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Computer Engineering, or related technical field

Master’s degree in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

VNAs

TDR

Oscilloscopes

BERTs

Optical power meters

Spectrum analyzers

Job description

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking an Optical Hardware Systems Test Engineer to validate and ensure the quality of next‑generation networking platforms, including switches, routers, and data center systems.

You will lead hands‑on bring‑up in the lab, validating high‑speed silicon with advanced optics and developing automated tests in Python/C++. Collaborate with ASIC architecture, SI, board design, and manufacturing from early silicon bring‑up through production release.